Dodoma set for big change

Dodoma. If all goes well, Tanzania’s capital town here can join regions that depend on mining as the main source of income. A government official yesterday revealed plans for major investment in copper and nickel extraction at the country’s central region in the near future.

Dodoma Regional resident mining officer Silimu Mtigile told The Citizen here that prospect efforts showed that Dodoma has more than 52 different kinds of minerals whose extraction by local miners has been low due to inadequate capital and lack of modern technical know-how. He named villages with vast copper deposits as including Tambi, Kimagai and Kinusi in Mpwapwa District, adding that, there are also abundant deposits of nickel at Aneti in Chamwino District.

Mr Mtigile said his office was looking for possible means to assist local miners extract the minerals in large quantities since already some foreign investors have shown interest in the valuable minerals, especially, nickel. “Currently, we’re in negotiations with some Indian businessmen who are interested in buying at least 200 tonnes per month. It is crucial, therefore, that we prepare our miners for this opportunity,” he said.



He explained that local miners in Mpwapwa had been engaging in extracting and selling copper, but they did not adhere to the set mining regulations and standards. However, his office worked with the police in order to end the activities. “Our aspiration is to assure that the minerals are extracted in accordance to the relevant regulations so as to boost the economy of the region,” said Mr Mtigile.

He said, current international market prices show that a tonne of nickel can fetch about $14,965 (Sh25 million) while copper goes for $5,692 (Sh10 million) per tonne, adding that if the sector will be effectively exploited might play a pivotal role in boosting the economy. He said undertaking mining activities properly will help boost the central region’s economy which currently depends on grape cultivation and animal husbandry with a little agriculture.